Marlins acquire Carlos Lee from Astros

MILWAUKEE -- The Marlins have acquired first baseman/outfielder Carlos Lee from the Houston Astros for a pair of minor-leaguers, third baseman Matt Dominguez and left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen, a source said. The news was first reported by ESPN.com's Buster Olney.

Lee was removed by the Astros from Wednesday's game.

Lee is hitting .286 with five home runs and fills an obvious need for the Marlins, who have received disappointing results so far from Gaby Sanchez. The 36-year-old Lee, who played for Ozzie Guillen in 2004 with the Chicago White Sox, has been a steady offensive performer during his 14 big-league seasons.

Lee, a free agent after this season, recently vetoed a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers but, according to Olney, "has indicated a willingness to play" for the Marlins.

Even though the Astros have used him exclusively at first base this season, Lee has played left field in the past and could also fit there for the Marlins, who would like to move Logan Morrison to first base. Morrison is dealing with a sore knee that has limited his outfield range and was not in Wednesday's lineup, as a result.

The slick-fieldling Dominguez, the Marlins' first-round pick (12th overall) in 2007, has been underwhelming offensively. The Astros are picking up the remainder of Lee's $18.5 million salary.